Raleigh, N.C. — A group of anti-war organizations planned a protest Friday evening outside the Terry Sanford Federal Building in Raleigh to demonstrate opposition to American intervention in Iran. Raleigh is one of dozens of cities to see protests as rhetoric about Iran's nuclear program heats up.

Iran's supreme leader pledged Friday to aid any nation or group that challenges Israel and said any military strikes over the Islamic Republic's nuclear program would damage U.S. interests in the Middle East "10 times over."

The nationally broadcast comments by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei staked out a hard line in apparent replies to suggestions that military strikes are an increasing possibility if sanctions fail to rein in the Islamic Republic's nuclear program.

The West and its allies fear Iran could use its uranium enrichment labs — which make nuclear fuel — to eventually produce weapons-grade material. Iran insists it only seeks reactors for energy and medical research.

Israel has so far publicly backed the efforts by the U.S. and European Union for tougher sanctions that target Iran's crucial oil exports. But Israeli leaders have urged even harsher measures and warn that military action remains a clear option despite Western appeals to allow time for the economic pressures and isolation to bear down on Iran.

Although Israel has raised the strongest hints over a military campaign, Khamenei reserved some of his strongest comments for Israel's key U.S. ally.

"A war itself will damage the U.S. 10 times over" in the region, said Khamenei.

Khamenei claimed Iran, however, could only emerge stronger. "Iran will not withdraw. Then what happens?" asked Khamenei. "In conclusion, the West's hegemony and threats will be discredited" in the Middle East. "The hegemony of Iran will be promoted. In fact, this will be in our service."

At Ramstein Air Base in Germany, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said sanctions remain the best approach to pressure Iran. But he told U.S. airmen Friday that Washington keeps "all options on the table and would be prepared to respond if we have to."

Organizers of the protests in the U.S. say even sanctions are an act of war on the Iranian people. They list their demands as: “No war, no sanctions, no intervention, no assassinations against Iran."

Nicole Serban, a student at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill was protesting both the cost and the potential outcome of any action in Iran.

“It is disturbing that as the U.S.has shown its utter failure in Iraq and Afghanistan, and dozens of other nations across the world that it would dare threaten to go into another country such as Iran," she said. “Yet, at the same time as hundreds of billions are wasted on terrible wars, the State of North Carolina is discussing raising its tuition on public universities."

Copyright 2012 by WRAL.com and the Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Crumps Br0therFeb 6, 2012

Why does EVERYONE keep on defying the UN and why do they keep on getting away with it

Fixed that for you. The UN is impotent and the entire world knows it. The only thing they can agree on is writing "strong worded letters." When you have China on your humans rights panel, you have no integrity as an organization.

seven74215Feb 6, 2012

These protesters are just like the 911 complainers. After the attack they cried why wasn't something done beforehand to stop things like this from happening. However, not long after we started implementing stronger security measures at airports, these same people (WRAL won't allow me to call them what they are, another politically correct entity with no backbone) cried that their rights were being violated. The ones that protest the loudest are the first ones in line to seek assistance or aid when something happens in America.

ProudBlackSingleMotherFeb 6, 2012

Why does Israel keep on defying the UN and why do they keep on getting away with it.

It is time to cut off all aid to Israel.

Leave Iran alone!

Crumps Br0therFeb 6, 2012

Why do these protesters hate Jews?

eyeoneastskyFeb 3, 2012

True but the promises are through Isaac and Jacob, not Ishmael.

geosolFeb 3, 2012

DukeCaniac wrote: "eyeone, I hate to tell you this but if you read the bible real closely in particular the book of Genesis you will see that the God of Abraham and the God of Ishmael are the same God" SHHH!! This is just getting good!!!

dukecaniacFeb 3, 2012

eyeone, I hate to tell you this but if you read the bible real closely in particular the book of Genesis you will see that the God of Abraham and the God of Ishmael are the same God

mepFeb 3, 2012

"The leaders of Iran have nothing but hatred for the nation of Israel."

I agree. It's the LEADERS of Iran who hate and want to start war. Much of the Iranian population are not religious zealots bent on destroying Israel. They want to live prosperous and peaceful lives. It's too bad their leadership will make them suffer.timexliving

Well said.

Iran's leadership... bent on the destruction of Israel to fulfill their dead Ayatollah's wishes may cause the next war... which as an ally, the US will get dragged into.

Tax ManFeb 3, 2012

Simple solution - send the protesters to Iran and let them live in that environment. End of discussion. Bye protesters.

Coretta Scott ThingFeb 3, 2012

Almighty God said He will bless those who bless Israel and He will curse those who curse her. The dictator of Iran has stated that he intends to push Israel into the sea. Those are fighting words. Guess who will be coming to fight for Israel? You guessed it. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.eyeoneastsky

Please, somebody explain to me how this nutty talk is in any way different to the gobbledeguke being shouted my Muslim extremists? In fact, I am more frightened of a bible thumper on a wild god sanctioned mission than I am any Islamist. Both are nuts.